CBI court acquits 2 police officials in fake encounter case

A CBI court in Patiala acquitted two police officials for lack of evidence in a fake encounter case in 1990.

Retired Superintendent of Police Mohinder Singh Sidhu and DSP Kishan Singh were acquitted yesterday in the case relating to the disappearance of one Sukhwinder Singh alias Neeta of Chavinda Devi village in Amritsar district on August 27, 1990.

Sidhu, was then the Station House Officer (SHO) and Kishan Singh an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of Kathunangal police station in the district.

The victim's brother Bhupinder Singh, in a letter to the Chief Justice of India and other government officials, alleged the duo killed Neeta in a fake encounter.

The High Court ordered an inquiry into the matter which was subsequently conducted by the then Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Amritsar Harbhupinder Singh Nanda.

The inquiry confirmed the disappearance but dismissed any police involvement in the case. A second inquiry by Sessions Judge of Jalandhar J P Gupta also denied the claims.

However, following a third petition by the victim's family, the High Court asked the CBI to probe into the case.

The CBI held both the police officers guilty and registered a case of murder and kidnapping with intent to murder against them. It filed a chargesheet for trial in the special CBI court, which acquitted the duo for lack of evidence.